The 2025 golf season brought drama beyond the fairways – from fan clashes to rule chaos and unexpected headlines.
From rule rewrites to viral moments, 2025 was anything but dull for golf fans. While players delivered strong performances, off-course stories often stole the spotlight. Here’s a look back at the most talked-about moments of the year.
Ryder Cup Drama: Captains, Booing and Rule Flashbacks
The 2025 Ryder Cup was full of unexpected twists. Captain Keegan Bradley found himself ranked ninth in the Ryder Cup standings after winning the Travelers Championship, sparking debate over whether a captain should also play. A rule change allowed it, but Bradley chose to stay on the sidelines—smart, but anticlimactic.
Fans made their presence felt, especially with Rory McIlroy facing boos and noise during putts. Shane Lowry even escorted a fan to security. Meanwhile, a new controversy emerged: only Team USA received official prize money, with Scottie Scheffler pledging to donate his share and McIlroy joking he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered an old rule: his opponent received half a point by default. The match was halved—so were the opinions. And a shirt in the Ryder Cup shop resembling McIlroy’s swing quietly disappeared after raising eyebrows.
LIV vs. PGA, Equipment Failures, and Administrative Blunders
Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour after playing in a LIV-supported YouTube event, despite the channel host being invited by the PGA itself. Phil Mickelson called it a breach of entrepreneurial freedom. The PGA vs. LIV saga continued.
Sophia Popov played three LPGA events after being told she was eligible—only to be informed later she wasn’t. Her points and prize money were revoked, ending her bid for a 2026 tour card. The LPGA blamed an administrative error.
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test, sparking rumors about his Masters win. Though the PGA of America downplayed it, McIlroy was frustrated that his name leaked while Scottie Scheffler’s similar issue remained